Low Utilization of Partograph and Its Associated Factors among Obstetric Care Providers in Governmental Health Facilities at West Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia

Intention to Use Mobile-Based Partograph and Its Predictors Among Obstetric Health Care Providers Working at Public Referral Hospitals in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia in 2022: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

BACKGROUND

A partograph is a pictorial representation of the relationship between cervical dilatation and the time used to diagnose prolonged and obstructed labor. However, the utilization of paper-based partograph is low and it is prone to documentation errors, which can be avoided with the use of electronic partographs. There is only limited information on the proportion of intention to use mobile-based partographs and its predictors.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of obstetric health care providers at public referral hospitals in Oromia, Ethiopia, in 2022 who had the intention to use mobile-based partographs and to determine the predictors of their intention to use mobile-based partographs.

METHODS

We performed an institution-based cross-sectional study from June 1 to July 1, 2022. Census was conducted on 649 participants. A self-administered structured English questionnaire was used, and a 5% pretest was performed. Data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for descriptive analysis and AMOS (analysis of moment structure; version 23) for structural and measurement model assessment. Descriptive and structural equation modeling analyses were performed. The hypotheses developed based on a modified Technology Acceptance Model were tested using path coefficients and P values <.05.

RESULTS

About 65.7% (414/630; 95% CI 61.9%-69.4%) of the participants intended to use mobile-based electronic partographs, with a 97% (630/649) response rate. Perceived usefulness had a positive influence on intention to use (β=.184; P=.02) and attitude (β=.521; P=.002). Perceived ease of use had a positive influence on attitude (β=.382; P=.003), perceived usefulness (β=.503; P=.002), and intention to use (β=.369; P=.001). Job relevance had a positive influence on perceived usefulness (β=.408; P=.001) and intention to use (β=.185; P=.008). Attitude positively influenced intention to use (β=.309; P=.002). Subjective norms did not have a significant influence on perceived usefulness (β=.020; P=.61) and intention to use (β=-.066; P=.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Two-thirds of the obstetric health care providers in our study intended to use mobile-based partographs. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, job relevance, and attitude positively and significantly influenced their intention to use mobile-based electronic partographs. The development of a user-friendly mobile-based partograph that meets job and user expectations can enhance the intention to use.

Proper partograph utilization among skilled birth attendants in Hawassa city public health facilities, Sidama region, Ethiopia, in 2021

Abnormalities of labor are the major causes of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Proper partograph utilization is a key intervention to detect labor abnormalities and subsequent initiation of management. Although a great deals of studies were conducted about partograph utilization, they have failed to explore some critical factors which correlate with correct filling of partograph so far. To assess magnitude and factors associated with proper partograph recording among skilled delivery attendants in public health facilities of Hawassa city, Sidama Ethiopia, in 2021. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess proper partograph filling practice among skilled delivery providers of public health facilities of Hawassa city, Sidama region, Ethiopia from November to December 15, in 2021. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire, and client chart review. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS software. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to show association between outcome and explanatory variables. Multi-collinearity test was done using VIF. Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% CI and p value less than 0.05 was taken as cuff of value for statistically significant value at final model. Out of 405 study participants, only 370 study subjects have provided full response for questions making a response rate of 91.4% in this study. The reason of non-responders was evaluated as not related with the issue of the outcome variable. The mean age of study subjects was 28 ± 3.9 years. Magnitude of proper partograph utilization was found to be58.4% (95% CI, 55.8-60.9%) among skilled delivery attendants in this study. Factors associated with partograph uptake were: On job training (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI: (1.1, 3.2), good knowledge (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI: (1.8, 5.3) and supportive supervision (AOR = 4.5, 95% CI, 2.5, 7.9), client took Uterotonics (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.9), and day time admission (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI, 1.9-6.4). These factors were associated positively with proper partograph utilization. In conclusion, magnitude of proper partograph utilization was found to be lower than magnitude of WHO threshold. Hence, on job training should be enhanced about proper partograph utilization. Furthermore, monitoring, supervision and strengthening the human resource of delivery process would be mandatory by managers of delivery units.

Impact of WHO Labor Care Guide on reducing cesarean sections at a tertiary center: an open-label randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization Labor Care Guide was introduced in December 2020 to implement World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the effect of the WHO Labor Care Guide on labor outcomes, especially in reducing primary cesarean deliveries, and its acceptability by healthcare providers.

STUDY DESIGN

This open-label randomized control trial was conducted from September 2021 to December 2021 on 280 low-risk antenatal women admitted for delivery at a busy tertiary care institute in North India. After informed consent, women were allocated into the study and control groups. Labor monitoring was performed using the WHO Labor Care Guide in the study group and the World Health Organization–modified partograph in the control group. Women who had a cesarean delivery in the latent phase of labor were excluded from the study. The primary outcome was mode of delivery, whereas the secondary outcomes were duration of active labor, maternal complications (postpartum hemorrhage and puerperal sepsis), duration of hospital stay, Apgar score at 5 minutes, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. The labor outcomes in both groups were compared. In the study group, the acceptability, difficulty, and satisfaction levels of the users were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. The “learning curve” for the use of the Labor Care Guide (LCG) was determined. SPSS software (version 21.0; IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL) was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

After excluding women who underwent cesarean delivery in the latent phase, 136 women in the study group and 135 women in the control group were observed for labor outcomes. The cesarean delivery rate was 1.5% in the study group vs 17.8% in the control group (P=.0001). The duration of the active phase of labor was significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group (P<.001). The 2 groups were similar in terms of maternal complications, duration of hospital stay, and Apgar score. The learning curve took average levels of 6.50 and 2.25 Labor Care Guide plots to shift from “very difficult” to “neutral” and “neutral” to “easy,” respectively. After an initial learning curve, acceptability and satisfaction levels were found to be high in the WHO Labor Care Guide users.

CONCLUSION

The WHO Labor Care Guide is a simple labor monitoring tool for the reducing primary cesarean delivery rate without increasing the duration of hospital stay and fetomaternal complications.

Utilization of partograph and its associated factors among obstetric caregivers in public health institutions of Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Partographs should be used universally to monitor the mother and fetus's conditions during delivery. However, its application in different parts of the world, including Ethiopia, is inconsistent. Moreover, its magnitude has not been determined in study area. As a result, the aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of partograph and associated factors among obstetric caregivers in public health institutions of Southwest Ethiopian.

METHODS

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Southwest Ethiopia from March 1st to June 30th, 2018. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data on background characteristics, knowledge of partograph, and partograph utilization. The collected data were entered into an EPI Info and analysed using SPSS Version 22. We used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Frequencies, tables, and graphs were used to present the final results. To determine statistical significance, a P-value of less than 0.05 was used.

RESULT

The response rate of this study was 393(92.2 %). The magnitude of utilization of partograph was 43 % with (95 % CI: 38.4, 48.1). According to the multivariate analysis being nurse or health officer [AOR = 0.37(0.21, 0.66)], degree level educational qualification [AOR = 0.32 (0.17, 0.60)], being trainined on partograph [Adjusted OR = 7.83 (95 % CI: (4.54, 13.50)], good knowledge about partograph [AOR = 5.84 (95 % CI: (3.27, 10.44)] and working at health center [AOR = 1.99 (95 % CI: (1.12, 3.52)] were found as determinants of partograph utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

The magnitude of partograph utilization among obstetric caregivers was found to be low in this study. Partograph utilization was determined by the type of profession, qualification level, knowledge of partograph, in-service training, and type of institution. To ensure its regular, obstetric caregivers must receive training and gain knowledge about it.

Strengthening Maternal Death Surveillance Systems for Evidence-Based Decision Making in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of the Center Region in Cameroon

BACKGROUND

The article seeks to document the experience of implementing Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) in the Center Region of Cameroon. The paper raises awareness on the need for implementing MDSR, shares progress and lessons learned and reflects on the implications for public health practice.

METHODS

A desk research involving the collection and analysis of secondary data using tables with specific themes in excel, following the review of existing resources at the Regional Delegation of Public Health-Center from the year 2016 to 2019.

RESULTS

The findings depict the existence of MDSR policies and sub-regional committees. Although, the number of regional maternal death notifications increased from 19 to 188 deaths between 2016 and 2019, the implementation of death review recommendations was only estimated at 10% in 2019. While 66% of deaths occurred in Yaoundé, 72% of these were deaths reported to have occurred in tertiary institutions out of which 75% were attributed to late referrals. Hemorrhage constituted 70/144 (48.6%) of the known direct causes of death. Maternal death related co-factors such as the use of partograph during labor had a high non-response rate (84%) and represents a weakness in the data set.

CONCLUSION AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Across the board, stakeholder engagement towards MDSR was increased through continuous awareness-raising, dissemination of surveillance tools, the institutionalization of the District Health Information Software (DHIS 2) and the "No Name No Blame" policy. However, the reporting and investigation of deaths for informed decisions remain a daunting challenge. For a resource-scarce setting with limited access to blood banks, the application of life-saving cost-effective interventions such as the use of partographs and the institution of a functional referral system among health units is likely to curb the occurrence of deaths from hemorrhage and other underlying causes. The success of these will require a robust strengthening of the health system.